Your Air Fryer May Be The Easiest Way To Cook Up Luscious Lamb Chops

There are a lot of wonderful options when it comes to centerpiece-worthy proteins. But while pork, roast beef or chicken can all be satisfying, there's something that feels very "special occasion" about lamb chops. For that reason, some find it intimidating to approach the preparation, fearing their meat may turn out tough, chewy, dry, or too gamy to bring to the table. The tricky part is that there's a "just right" window for ideal lamb chops, and traditional cooking methods like roasting can be precarious — especially with variables like individual oven temperatures (which are sometimes unreliable).

Fortunately, thanks to the game-changing appliance that is your air fryer, cooking up lamb chops has become super accessible. Not only can you count on this device to deliver juicy, tender, flavor-packed chops with a perfectly crisp crust, but you can also get the job done in about half the time of traditional techniques like baking. Additionally, while some roasting methods call for a two-step process of searing the chops and then popping in the oven, the air fryer gets it all done in one shot thanks to its unique powers.

Air fryers are essentially small convection ovens that hit your food with rapidly circulating high heat. This design makes for a more evenly cooked piece of meat in a speedier fashion than other methods.

For lamb chops, the air frying process can take about seven to nine minutes or so depending on the size of your cuts, with a pause for a quick flip halfway through. You can be certain your lamb is finished by taking an internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Rare will clock in around 115 degrees, medium rare at 125 degrees, and medium at 130 degrees (all Fahrenheit). Allowing your lamb to rest for a few minutes will also help seal in its juices.

Preparing lamb chops for your air fryer doesn't deviate too far from your standard methods. If you're super sensitive to a gamy quality, some recipes recommend an overnight bath for your meat in milk, or to use a fragrant marinade that will help mitigate more pungent aromas. A marinade is also a great way to help promote tenderness in your lamb, and can be as simple as olive oil and lemon juice (along with your choice of herbs, aromatics, and spices). Some versions call for an overnight soak, while others suggest about an hour in a marinade will get the job done. If you choose to use one, you can also sidestep spraying your air fryer basket thanks to the oil already in the marinade.

When planning out a flavor profile for your chops, there's a wide range of ingredients that pair well with lamb. Aromatics like garlic, shallots, and onions add depth, while rosemary, marjoram, thyme, and sage are all bright, fragrant and flavorful additions to your dish. That said, mint may be the most famous herb for lamb-lovers. And while mint jelly is an iconic accompaniment, those who prefer a less sweet way to incorporate this ingredient can opt for a recipe like lamb with spring onions and mint, which also features fennel in both seed and bulb form. For a more Mediterranean twist, try Greek style lamb chops which includes oregano and zippy lemon.

Lamb chops also love a simple chimichurri recipe that features red wine vinegar, parsley, and a little kick from red pepper flakes. A punchy mustard-based or brown sugar sauce with balsamic vinegar are also delicious preparations, both of which rely on a little acidity to cut through the savory elements of the meat. Once you've got the air-fryer method down pat, it's handy to have a range of complimentary sauces and marinades, since you may very soon find yourself with lamb chops in regular rotation — not just on special occasions.